Combined preputial advancement and phallopexy as a revision technique for treating paraphimosis in a dog

A 7‐year‐old neutered male Jack Russell terrier‐cross was presented for signs of recurrent paraphimosis, despite previous surgical enlargement of the preputial ostium. Revision surgery was performed using a combination of preputial advancement and phallopexy, which resulted in complete and permanent coverage of the glans penis by the prepuce, and at 1 year postoperatively, no recurrence of paraphimosis had been observed. The combined techniques allow preservation of the normal penile anatomy, are relatively simple to perform and provide a cosmetic result. We recommend this combination for the treatment of paraphimosis in the dog, particularly when other techniques have failed.     

Fabrication of homogeneous multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly (vinyl alcohol) composite films using for microwave absorption application

Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) nanocomposite films were fabricated and their microwave absorption behavior were evaluated using vector network analyzer in the frequency range of 8–12 GHz (Xband). The uniform, stable dispersion and well oriented MWNT within the PVA matrix were achieved through using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as dispersing agent. The surface morphology of the PVA/SDS/MWNT films was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM analysis of the film samples revealed the uniform appearance in the whole surfaces of the fabricated composite films. However, some roughness on the surface was observed due to the presence of MWNT in the film structure. The PVA/SDS/MWNT films show significant increase in microwave absorption which is improved by increasing the MWNT content. The PVA/SDS/MWNT nanocomposite film sample with MWNT loading of 10 wt% showed the maximum and the relatively high microwave absorption of 28.00 dB at the frequency of 8.6 GHz.     

Chitosan-Based Intranasal Vaccine against Escherichia coli O157:H7

Background:

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is an infectious zoonotic pathogen causing human infections. These infections, in some cases, can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome and its life-threatening complications and even death worldwide. The first intimate bacterial adhesion, intimin (I), with its own receptor translocated intimin receptor (Tir) and E. coli secreted protein A, acting as Tir conduit, are highly immunogenic proteins for vaccine development against E. coli O157:H7.

Methods:

A chimeric trivalent recombinant protein was previously found to be a suitable strategy for developing vaccines against E. coli O157:H7. In this study, the recombinant EIT (rEIT) was used to design a protective EHEC nasal nanovaccine. Chitosan and its water-soluble derivative, trimethylated chitosan (TMC), as muco-adhesive biopolymers, are good candidates for preparation of nanovaccines.  Using the electrospraying technique, as a novel method, we could obtain particles of rEIT loaded with chitosan and TMC on a nanometer scale. Mice were immunized with intranasal administration or intrapretoneal injection of rEIT.

Results:

The rEIT-specific immune responses (IgG and IgA) were measured by indirect ELISA. Only nasal administration of chitosan electrospray and TMC formulation produced significant secretion IgA. Intranasal administration of nanovaccine reduced the duration of bacterial fecal shedding on mice challenged with E. coli O157:H7.

Conclusion:

Since development of mucosal vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases requires efficient antigen delivery; therefore, this research could be a new strategy for developing vaccine against E. coli O157:H7.Key Words: EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli, Nanoparticles, Intranasal vaccination     

Effects of supplemental conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on fresh and post‐thaw sperm quality of Holstein bulls

This study was designed to investigate the effects of feeding‐protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the semen production and sperm freezability in Holstein bulls. Twelve bulls were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 6 per group). Bulls received the normal diet (control group) or the normal diet top‐dressed with 50 g of CLA (treated group) for 10 weeks. The control group received 40 g/day calcium soap of fatty acid. Fresh and post‐thaw semen quality was assessed on ejaculates collected at the 0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 week of supplementation. Semen evaluations including sperm concentration, motion characteristics (subjective and computer‐assisted), viability (Eosin–Nigrosin), membrane integrity (hypo‐osmotic swelling test) and abnormality were conducted. Semen volume, sperm concentration and total sperm output were not affected by dietary treatment (p > .05). The proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology in fresh semen significantly increased (p < .05) in the CLA‐fed group compared to control group. Also, in CLA‐fed group, the proportion of post‐thaw spermatozoa with abnormal morphology at week 10 of trial was significantly higher in CLA than control group (p < .05). Progressive motility tended to be increased in the CLA‐fed group, although dietary supplementation did not affect other CASA parameters or viability in fresh and frozen‐thawed sperm. In this study, CLA supplementation had little positive effect on fresh or post‐thaw sperm quality of Holstein bulls.     

Analysis of the costs of veterinary education and factors associated with financial stress among veterinary students in Australia

Objective

To investigate the course‐related and other costs involved in obtaining a veterinary education in Australia and how these costs are met. The study also aimed to identify sociodemographic and course‐related factors associated with increased financial stress.

Methods

Students from seven Australian veterinary schools were surveyed using an online questionnaire. A total of 443 students participated (response rate 17%). Responses to survey items relating to finances, employment and course‐related costs were compared with sociodemographic factors and prior research in the area of student financial stress.

Results

Respondents reported spending a median of A$300 per week on living costs and a median of A$2,000 per year on course‐related expenses. Over half of respondents received the majority of their income from their parents or Youth Allowance (56%). A similar proportion (55%) reported that they needed to work to meet basic living expenses. Circumstances and sociodemographic factors linked to perceived financial stress included requiring additional finances to meet unexpected costs during the course; sourcing additional finances from external loans; an expected tuition debt at graduation over A$40,000; being 22 years or older; working more than 12 hours per week; living costs above A$300 per week; and being female.

Conclusion

The costs involved in obtaining a veterinary education in Australia are high and over half of respondents are reliant on parental or Government income support. Respondents with certain sociodemographic profiles are more prone to financial stress. These findings may have implications for the psychological health, diversity and career plans of veterinary students in Australia.     

Accumulation of Reserve Compounds in Common Bean Seeds under Drought Stress

To investigate the seed protein and major mineral nutrient (Fe, Zn, P, and N) contents and their accumulation procedure in the seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a biennial experiment was conducted under two contrasting moisture regimes (normal irrigation and water deficit). Seed reserves of eight genotypes (WA4502-1, WA4531-17, Akhtar, D81083, AND1007, KS21486, MCD4011, and COS16) were investigated at four stages of seed filling period (SFP). Split-plot experiments were performed as randomized complete block design with four replications. The results showed significant differences in the evaluated characteristics in both factors, the genotypes and the moisture regimes. Fe content of the seeds was affected the most by drought stress and reduced in all stages, while seed nitrogen and protein contents were affected the least under stress condition. The percentages of reductions due to water deficit were higher in stage 1 for Fe, stage 2 for Zn, and stage 4 for P and N. In the stage 3, minerals had the least changes. Nitrogen content of the seeds at mid-stages of SFP increased slightly under drought stress. Drought stress also caused 39–69% reductions in the grain yield of the genotypes. Under drought stress condition, the concentrations of Fe and N in the white bean seeds were less than that of the red and the Chitti genotypes. However, the seed P contents of the white bean seeds were higher than that of the other genotypes.     

Indigofera spicata (creeping indigo) poisoning of three ponies

Three ponies continuously grazed a pasture containing an estimated 24% Indigofera spicata (wet weight basis) for 4–6 weeks in April and May 2004. They developed ataxia, paresis, depression, muscle fasciculations, dysphagia, ptyalism and halitosis. Two also developed corneal opacity. One pony recovered with supportive treatment, but the other two were euthanased and necropsied. Neuropathology was not present in either case, but both livers had periacinar and periportal lymphocytic infiltrations and hydropic degeneration of mid‐zonal hepatocytes, with mild to moderate periacinar necrosis also evident in one. The I. spicata contained 2.66 mg 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NPA)/g dry matter and 1.5 mg indospicine/g dry matter. Indospicine, but not 3‐NPA, was detected in serum from both of the euthanased ponies and indospicine was detected in heart, liver and muscle from the one pony in which this assay was performed. The clinical syndrome closely resembled ‘Birdsville horse disease’ caused by I. linnaei and was similar to that reported in horses poisoned by the closely related species I. hendecaphylla and to 3‐NPA poisoning of other animals, including humans. 3‐NPA is thought to cause this neurological syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first authenticated report of I. spicata poisoning in grazing animals. We also report here the first published evidence that 3‐NPA and indospicine exist in naturalised I. spicata in Australia and of the formation of indospicine residues in tissues of animals grazing paddocks infested with I. spicata.     

Study of broiler chicken responses to dietary protein and lysine using neural network and response surface models

1. In this study, neural network (NN) and response surface (RS) models were developed to investigate the response [average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE)] of young broiler chickens to dietary protein and lysine. For this purpose, data on their responses to dietary protein and lysine were extracted from the literature and separate NN and RS models were constructed.

2. Comparison between the NN and RS models revealed higher accuracy of prediction with the NN models compared to the RS models. In terms of R ² values, the NN models developed for both ADG (R ² = 0.923) and FE (R ² = 0.904) were far superior to the RS models (R ² for ADG = 0.511; R ² for FE = 0.67). This suggests that the NN models can serve as an alternative option to conventional regression approaches including use of RS models.

3. Optimisation of the NN models developed for response to protein and lysine showed that diets containing 220.7 (g/kg of diet) protein and 12.85 (g/kg of diet) lysine maximise ADG, whereas maximum FE is achieved with diets containing 241.3 and 13.12 (g/kg) protein and lysine, respectively. Based on the optimisation results, optimal dietary protein and lysine concentrations for maximum FE in broiler chickens during the starting period are higher than for ADG.     

Comparison of some physiological aspects of drought stress resistance in two ground cover genus

Owing to high water requirements of turfgrass, it is essential to find suitable turfgrasses for cultivation in arid and semi-arid conditions. For this purpose, physiological responses of Agropyron desertorum and Poa pratensis cv. “Barimpala” that were subjected to outdoor with holding irrigation were evaluated. Seeds of these two genuses were cultured in polyvinyl chloride tubes and were irrigated daily until drainage occurred. After establishment, irrigation was stopped until leaf wilting occurred. P. pratensis and A. desertorum were wilted during 15 and 20 days after drought treatment, respectively. Turf quality and relative water content were decreased due to drought stress, butthe extent of decrease in A. desertorum was less than that it was in P. pratensis. Five days after stress, malondialdehyde levels increased in P. pratensis more quickly than A. desertorum, while electrolyte leakage rose immediately after with holding irrigation in these genuses. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the two stressed plants increased and then decreased with stress development. In these conditions activities of AT, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase had a similar pattern in P. pratensis, while A. desertorum showed continuous increase in these enzyme activities.